[19] ART INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE STRUCTURE OF CULTURE MINISTRY TO GRANT
THEIR REVENUES BETWEEN APRIL 11 AND 17 TO ''HAND IN HAND FOR KOSOVO''
CAMPAIGN

[20] WORLD BANK-TURKEY-MACEDONIA - INTERNATIONAL AIDS TO MACEDONIA TO BE BE
ORGANISED FROM TURKEY

[21] AN AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN ISTANBUL AIRLINES AND TRNC STATE MINISTRY
AND VICE-PRIME MINISTRY - FLIGHTS FROM GERMANY TO TRNC TO BE HELD AT THE
PRICE OF GERMANY-ANTALYA FLIGHTS

[22] EU COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS TO HOLD A COORDINATION MEETING WITH
FOREIGN MINISTERS OF NEIGHBOURING STATES INCLUDING TURKEY

[23] LUFTHANSA, GERMAN AIRLINE COMPANY, INCREASES ITS NUMBER OF FLIGHTS FOR
SUMMER - KISCH, REPRESENTATIVE OF LUFTHANSA IN TURKEY: - ''I AM LIVING IN
ISTANBUL AND I FEEL MYSELF SECURE. OUR COMPANY SEES TURKEY AS A SECURE
COUNTRY''

[24] TURKEY-NATO OPERATION - PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS ACET AS THE SPECIAL
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE REGION AHEAD OF HIS VISIT TO ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA
THAT WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY

[01] TRNC PRESiDENT RAUF DENKTAS SAYS THEY WILL TEMPORARILY OPEN MARAS TO
KOSOVAR REFUGEEES

LEFKOSA, April 7 (A.A) - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
President Rauf Denktas stated that they want to house Kosovar refugees in
Maras as a temporary solution.

When the BBC asked him about the Greek claims that ''he is trying to change
the island's population and he will not let them leave once they are
settled in Maras'', Denktas stressed that this is only a temporary measure
and that the Kosovars can stay in Maras until they can return their homes.

Denktas said that the Greek Cypriots are provoked by everything, even by
the existence of Turks living in Cyprus, when he was asked ''if his offer
to the refugees was a provocation''. The TRNC President added that they
approach the issue from a humanutarian point of view and that they are
ready to house the Kosovar refugees in Maras.

Denktas, also announced that he will once again be a candidate during the
presidential elections in 2000. He said he has not yet completed his task
and the people still want him.

These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's
press on April 7, 1998. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories
and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

APO ASKS FOR AMNESTY FOR PKK
The chief terrorist Ocalan said he did not want anything for himself but
asked for amnesty for the members of his terrorist organization, the PKK
who are presently in jail. ''There are PKK members who have been waiting
for an amnesty for twenty years in jail. The Turkish government must issue
an amnesty for them. I am ready to bring the PKK to a legal line. I am
influential over the Kurdish people and my organization. The Kurds like me.
I've been asking for a cease-fire since 1993. I am willing to work for
peace and make Turkey more powerful if the government gives me the chance,
'' the terrorist said.

MAVI CARSI MURDERER ARRESTED BY STATE SECURITY COURT
Metin Yamalak who participated in the petrol bomb attack at Mavi Carsi in
istanbul's Kadikoy district which resulted with the death of 13 people last
month, pleaded guilty on Tuesday at the State Security Court (DGM). Yamalak
was recently arrested in Mersin where he was sent to organize Nevruz
demonstrations and then brought to istanbul. Yamalak, after his
interrogation which lasted for five hours at the DGM, was sent to jail.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

TYPHOID IS LIKE BULLETS
An epidemy of typhoid and dysentery has started among the ten thousands of
Kosovars waiting at Macedonia and Albanian border. The threat increased
when the toilet and garbage problem was worsened by the rain. It is feared
that people might die in groups because of the disease. The only hospital
on the border is full of sick and injured people. Two, sometimes three,
patients share one bed in the hospital. There are no doctors to treat
children with high fever. Sixteen people died in the last 24 hours.

MAGNIFICANT TURK
Prof. Umran Inan who works at the Electrical Engineering Department of the
Stanford University in the United States has made an important discovery
about the electric currents in the atmosphere. Through Inan's discovery,
the storms will be followed easily and more accurate information will be
obtained about the chemical structure of the atmoshpere. As a result of
Inan's studies which was supported by the NASA and the American National
Science Foundation, the electric currents could now be seen as radio waves.
Before this discovery, only photos of electric currents could be taken
which were insufficient. The scientists will be able to watch detailed
formation of atmospheric events in the western hemisphere through the four
receivers which will be placed at certain points of the world.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

AN AIRPLANE BELONGED TO THE THY CRASHES NEAR ADANA
A Boeing 737 airplane belonged to the Turkish Airlines (THY) that took off
from the Adana airport at 00:36 a.m. on Wednesday bound for Jeddah, Saudi
Arabia, crashed near Kandilli village in Ceyhan county of Adana province.
Kivilcim Tuncer, the pilot; Orhan Sami Bezcioglu the co-pilot; Hatice
Misirlioglu, Nida Guler, Deniz Desen, and Gonul Topal, the cabin crew, were
all killed in the incident. The airplane was due to bring home Turkish
pilgrims who had completed the annual pilgrimage in Mecca, Islam's holiest
sites in Saudi Arabia.

FOUR LAWYERS OF OCALAN HOLD TALKS WITH THEIR CLIENT
Hasip Kaplan, Ercan Kanar, Irfan Dundar, Mahmut Sakar and Ahmet Zeki
Okcuoglu, lawyers of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the terrorist
organization PKK, went to Imrali Island where Ocalan is being kept in
prison, and held talks with their client. Meanwhile, responding to
questions of journalists, Irfan Dundar pointed out that preparations for
the defense of Ocalan has not been completed yet.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

CROSS-BORDER OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ
It was reported that the Turkish Armed Forces have launched a military
operation in Northern Iraq in order to destroy camps belonging to the
terrorist organization PKK. A total of 15 thousand soldiers and 2 thousand
guards participate at the cross-border operation.

BAND REGARDING ELECTION PROPAGANDA PERIOD TO STARTS ON APRIL 8 The
propaganda period of the general and local elections, and the bans
regarding this period will start on April 8. The Higher Election Council
(YSK) said that the parties can make election propaganda only as directed
by Article 298 of the election law during the period between April 8 and
one day before the election day.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

PREMIER ECEVIT TO MAKE OBSERVATIONS IN REFUGEE CAMP
Prime Minister Ecevit is expected to pay a visit to Kirklareli province and
make observations in the camp-site prepared for Kosovanian refugees. Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Turkey has provided shelter in Turkey,
Macedonia, and Albania for 50 thousand Kosovanian people who were forced to
leave their homes as a result of ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosovo.

IT WAS BURSA'S TURN FOR DR. BABUNA
A total of 9,119 residents of Bursa province underwent a tissue test within
the framework of efforts to find a suitable tissue to make marrow
transplantation to Dr. Oktar Babuna, a young successful brain surgeon
suffering from leukemia.

YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)

AIR BRIDGE FOR KOSOVONIAN REFUGEES
Nearly 1,500 Kosovanian refugees have been brought to Turkey by nine
airplanes within the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, a total of 5,504 Kosovonian
people have entered into Turkey from the Kapikule Border Gate since March
22.

HEROIN OPERATION IN VAN
Security forces seized a total of 19.7 kg of pure heroin in an operation
launched in Gurpinar county of eastern Van province. Acting on a tip-off,
security forces stopped a private automobile in a junction on Hakkari-Van
highway and seized 19.7 kilogram of pure heroin having a market value of
nearly 500 billion Turkish liras.

TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)

LETTER FROM PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO THE U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON
President Suleyman Demirel sent a letter to the U.S. President Bill Clinton
over the latest developments in Kosovo. President Demirel said in his
letter, ''I believe that we should urgently take measures against the
humanity calamity caused by the bloodthirsty ethnic cleansing campaing of
Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.''

He also noted, ''we should carry out our efforts against this inhumane
violence in solidarity. The foundation principle of NATO is the
preservation of freedoms. This is a holy goal. NATO, which is the last hope
of millions of people who long for freedom, should carry out its strong and
resolved attitude to fulfil its goal wholly.''

NEW YORK, April 7 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday that
he does not take Yugoslavia's cease-fire offer seriously.

Responding to questions of Larry King, the famous talk-show host of the CNN
TV, Bulent Ecevit stressed that the most important thing for the time being
is the future of victims of ethnic cleansing campaing in Kosovo.

Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''will they be allowed to return to their homes,
to their country? Will they be able to gain back their passports, and
identity cards? Will they be able to establish a political setup which will
provide security? A few days cease-fire does not mean anything unless these
questions are answered in a positive way.''

Ecevit noted that he fully agrees with the refusal of the western countries
to accept Yugoslavia's offer.

When asked about the situation of Kosovanian refugees in Turkey, Ecevit
said, ''nearly 20 thousand Kosovanian people will be sheltered in Turkey
near border region with Bulgaria. Meanwhile, Turkey will build a tent-site
which will accommodate 10 thousand people in a very comfortable and healthy
way in Macedonia. Another tent-site will be set up in Albania for 10
thousand refugees.''

Responding to a question whether or not Turkey and Greece work together
with the same goal of protecting refugees, Ecevit pointed out, ''I hope so.
I was glad to learn that Greece has also agreed to provide shelter for 5
thousand displaced Kosovanian people, but of course this has nothing to do
with the problems between Turkey and Greece. We hope that Greece will stop
providing support to terrorism and will agree to take up the issues between
the two neighbouring countries through dialogue.''

Responding to another question on should the NATO bring ground troops into
this conflict, Ecevit said, ''it would be rather difficult to take such a
decision, but I think that the NATO should continue military operation more
effectively. 1999 is the 50th anniversary of the NATO. This operation
against the Yugoslav administration is the first experience of NATO in a
real conflict and if the NATO fails in this conflict, it will create
immense problems for the world. The NATO has to win this conflict in one
way or another.''

ANKARA, April 7 (A.A) - Although more than 48 thousand people were
dismissed from their jobs between November 1998 and January 1999 for
economic reasons, no mass dismissings occured since February 1999, it was
reported on Wednesday.

During the four month period between November 1998 and January 1999, around
17 thousand textile, ten thousand metal and four thousand construction
workers were dismissed from their jobs in Turkey as a reflection of the
global economic crisis.

The Labour and Social Security Ministry officials reported that they
started following the firings closely through their ''Follow-up
Commission'' after the increasing number of dismissings. The commission was
formed to follow up the firings, find out about its reasons, and take the
necessary measures. The ministry officials said there have been few cases
of individual firings, but not any group firings since February 1999. The
officials also stated that some work places re-hired the workers who were
previously dismissed.

In the report prepared by the ''Follow-up Committee'', it was suggested
that the tax laws must be revised to increase employment and the value
added tax (VAT) rates for export goods must be reviewed. The report also
suggested lowering the cost of electricity and water at industrial
managements, and forming of specialty customs to avoid the competition of
the Far East in textile sector. Following are the other recommendations of
the report:

-Obligatory Economy period must end

-Entrance of smuggled goods to Turkey must be prevented

-An effective struggle against illegal employment must start

-Minimum wage must be excluded from tax

During the committee discussions, the employer representatives demanded job
security while the employee committee stressed that the flexible working
hours model, which is used in the West, will help to avoid mass firings.
But no consensus has been reached over this issue.

[05] PLANE CRASH IN ADANA - AKIN, CHAIRMAN OF PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
OF THE THY: - ''ALLEGATIONS REGARDING REASON OF CRASH ARE NOTHING BUT
HYPOTHESISES YET''

ISTANBUL, April 7 (A.A) - Faik Akin, the Chairman of the Public Relations
Department of the Turkish Airlines (THY), said on Wednesday that all
allegations regarding this morning's plane crash are nothing but
hypotheses.

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent over the issue,

Akin stressed that the officials have begun to search the plane's ''black
box'' to determine the cause of the crash.

Reminding that a delegation headed by Yusuf Bolayirli, Director General of
the Turkish Airlines, left for the scene of the crash in order to make
observations, Akin noted that an experts team from the Directorate General
of the Civilian Aviation, is also in the scene of the incident.

A Boeing 737-400 airplane belonged to the Turkish Airlines that took off
from the Adana airport at 00:36 a.m. on Wednesday, bound for Jeddah, Saudi
Arabia, crashed near Ceyhan county, some 25 miles from Adana, killing all
six crew members aboard.

The airplane was due to bring home Turkish pilgrims who had completed the
annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites in Saudi Arabia.

[06] ONE GOVERNOR AND TWO CHIEF INSPECTORS APPOINTED TO COORDINATE AID
DISTRIBUTION TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES

ANKARA, April 7 (A.A) - The Interior Ministry appointed one governor and
two civil service chief inspectors to help the Kirklareli Governorship with
the coordination of urgent aid and its distribution to the Kosovar refugees
in Turkey.

The ''Temporary Higher Coordination Council'' which was formed by the
Interior Ministry to provide accommodation and food for the refugees
convened on April 6 under the leadership of Interior Minister Cahit Bayar.
The council discussed the immediate construction of a tent city in
Kirklareli to provide shelter for five thousand Kosovars. The council
decided that TEDAS will install an electricity sytem for the refugees; the
Directorate of Rural Affairs will furnish a sewege and water system; the
Transportation Ministry will provide communication and mail service; the
Gendarme General Commandership and the Security General Directorate will be
responsible for the security of the refugees; the Treatment Services of the
Health Ministry will offer health service at the tent city; and the Turkish
Armed Forces and the Red Crescent will deliver warm food to the refugees.

A total of 155 billion Turkish liras was sent from the the Prime Ministry
Social Help and Solidarity Fund on March 25 for the Kosovar refugees. So
far, seven thousand and 376 Kosovar refugees have entered Turkey. About two
thousand of them are currently residing at Kirklareli Gaziosmanpasa
Refugees Guesthouse.

ANKARA, April 7 (A.A) - The Ankara State Security Court (DGM) will try
continuously Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of terrorist organization PKK, on
charges of treason on Imrali Island.

Officials told the A.A correspondent that Talat Salk, Nuh Mete Yuksel, and
Hamza Keles, prosecutors of the case, continue works in order to complete
the additional indictment under the leadership of Cevdet Volkan, the Chief
Prosecutor of the Ankara State Security Court.

The additional indictment is expected to be completed until April 20. The
additional indictment then will be sent to the court in order to combine
with the former lawsuit. The additional indictment will also be notified to
the terrorist chief.

If the preparations on Imrali island cannot be completed before April 30,
the hearing will be held in Ankara.

The Ankara State Security Court will determine the date of the hearing as
soon as the hall where the hearing will take place on April 30, and all
other preparations are completed on Imrali island. Within this framework,
the hearing is expected to be held at the end of May.

A limited number of journalists will be allowed to watch hearing which will
be held under tight security measures.

[08] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM: - ''WE ENDEAVOUR FOR KOSOVO NOT TO BECOME SECOND
BOSNIA''

KAYSERI, April 7 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, said on
Wednesday that he held talks with Kamal Kharrazi, the Foreign Minister of
Iran, the term president of the Organization of the Islamic Conference
(OIC), over the issue of humanitarian aid to Kosovo, stressing that the
Islamic World should take action immediately for Kosovonian people who were
forced to leave their homes as a result of the ethnic campaing.

Addressing the journalists in central Kayseri province, Cem noted that
Turkey has done her utmost for Kosovanian refugees and will continue to do
so.

Reminding that 200 thousand people were massacred because they were simply
Muslim, Cem stressed, ''we endeavour for Kosovo not to become a second
Bosnia.''

Pointing out that any aid to Kosovo is very important for those who lost
their homes and relatives in conflicts, Cem told reporters, ''the Turkish
government has launched an initiative on the issue. We, as the Foreign
Ministry, have also started a campaing among the Turkish people living
abroad.''

[09] INVESTMETNS IN SOUTH EAST WILL BENEFIT FROM DISCOUNTED ELECTRIC ENERGY
FOR THREE YEARS

ANKARA, April 7 (A.A) - The managements which make investments in the south
eastern provinces of Adiyaman, Agri, Ardahan, Bayburt, Batman, Bingo,
Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay,
Igdir, Kars, Mardin, Mus, Ordu, Siirt, Sivas, Sanliurfa, Sirnak, Tunceli,
Van and Yozgat will benefit from a discounted electricity energy program
which will last for three years, it was reported on Wednesday. The Treasury
will meet the loss and the profit which was given up.

TEAS and TEDAS will give the managements 50 percent off their electricity
cost in their first year, 40 percent off in their second year and 25
percent off in their third year.

TEAS and TEDAS will be responsible for inspecting the usage of the discount
program to assure that it is used for the right purposes. In case of
detecting a faulty usage, the managements will have to return the
government support they were given to the Treasury.

The three year program took effect on March 5, 1999.

[10] FOUR RUSSIAN WAR SHIPS WAITING FOR COMMAND TO SAIL TO MEDITERRENEAN
VIA STRAITS

MOSCOW, April 7 (A.A) - Four Russian war ships are waiting for command to
sail to the Mediterranean via the Straits on Wednesday.

The Russian sources said that four Russian war ships, including an anti-
submarine, a patrolling and defense ship and two landing ships are waiting
for command to start its voyage to the Mediterrenean.

The sources stated that these ships are trained for additional mission
prior to the operation of the Black Sea Fleet of Russia which will start on
April 19, 1999.

Stating that the ships are armed, the sources noted that the ships can
start sailing in 24 hours in case they are given such command.

Russia had before informed Turkey that these ships would start their voyage
within the framework of the Montreaux Straits Convention on the dates which
were determined before, but only the Russian ship named ''Liman'' passed
through the Straits.

The Russian fleet continuously informs Turkey that the other ships could
not pass through the Straits on the before-determined dates and that they
will start their voyage to the Mediterrenean as soon as they get the
command.

The sources said that these ships have not received such command and that
the Russian authorities can give the command at any moment, adding that to
this end, the Black Sea Fleet has to issue transition statement to Turkey.

IZMIR, April 7 (A.A) - Jadranka Radovanic, Chairman of Chamber of Economy
in Split city of Croatia, said on Wednesday that they wanted to improve
trade relations with Turkey and especially with Aegean Izmir province.

Radovanic, who visited Izmir Chamber of Commerce, said administrators of
tourism, construction and automotive companies, who are in Croatian
delegation, were willing to make business with Turkey.

Noting that Croatia's exportation to Turkey was composed of crude leather
and was annually 69 million U.S. dollars, Radovanic said, ''our importation
is mainly on textile. Turkish textile products are preferred in our market
with their quality and cheapness.''

Mehmet Akyelli, Izmir Chamber of Commerce Deputy Chairman, said Turkey was
willing for the construction of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, adding that
''we have decided to participate in Zagreb Fair as associate country for
the year 1999. It is clear that this is an opportunity that should be
evaluated well by Turkish business circles.''

[12] A CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF THE CLEAN FOSSIL FUEL SYSTEM TO BE HELD
BETWEEN MAY 26-29 IN ANKARA

ANKARA, April 7 (A.A) - A conference on the future of the clean fossil fuel
system in the sustainable development process of Europe and Asia will be
held between May 26 and 29, 1999 in Ankara, it is reported on Wednesday.

The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, the Turkish National Committee
of the World Energy Council (WEC), U.S. Secretariat of Energy, U.S. Agency
for the International Development, the U.S. Energy Union, the WEC and the
working group for the cooperation of Energy between the Black Sea region
and the Central Asian Republics will be the sponsors of the conference.

The issues including the strategic importance of the fossil fuels in Europe
and Asia, applying clean technology, the jeopolitics of the fossil fuels,
the cleanness of the fossil fuels and environmental cleanness, the role of
the fossil fuels in the economic development process, the improvement of
the life standarts in the investments of the fossil fuels will be discussed
in the conference which will be supported by the United Nations (UN), the
World Bank and the World Coal Institute.

The alternatives for the future, the energy security of these fossil fuels,
the reform in the energy market, the removal of the communicational
obstacles are the other issues which will be discussed in the conference.

Bill Richardson, the U.S. Secretary of Energy; Jim Adam, the Chairman of
WEC; Rilwanu Lukman, the Chairman of the Organization of Petrol Exporting
Countries (OPEC); Huseyin Arabul, the Chairman of the Turkish National
Committe of WEC and Barmek Holding; Robert W.Gee, the U.S. Assistant
Secretary of Energy who is responsible from the fossil fuels, and the
representatives of the advancing energy companies in the world are expected
to participate in the conference which will be held under the auspices of
President Suleyman Demirel.

DIYARBAKIR, April 7 (A.A) - Supreme Court 8th Penalty Department on
Wednesday reversed one year imprisonment terms given to Frisullo Damiano
Giovanni, the Italian demonstrator, by Diyarbakir State Security Court.

A file had been suited against the Italian demonstrator on charges of
''discriminating people according to race and region and inciting people to
hatred and enmity'' during Newroz festival in 1998. The defendant was
sentenced to one year imprisonment terms on charges of making propaganda
against inseparable integrity of Turkish Republic.

Supreme Court, which concluded observation of the penalty given to the
Italian demonstrator by Diyarbakir DGM on June 16, 1998, decided to re-
judge the defendant on grounds that there was a mistake in quality of the
crime.

Supreme Court's reverse decision said, ''Frisullo Damiano Giovanni, Italian
citizen defendant, chanted slogans in favor of terrorist chief and
terrorist organization on March 21, 1998 by showing Newroz festival as
pretext. The Italian citizen joined in the crowd which holds a
demonstration, supported their acts and was taken on shoulders of the
terrorists by getting their sympathy. Thus, this act was evaluated as
appreciating an action which the laws regards as crime. So, it was
understood that there was a mistake in quality of his crime and was decided
that he should be punished with 8/1 article of Struggle Against Terrorism
Law.''

The decision said opposition of the lawyer of the defendant for appeal was
seen appropriate in this respect and pointed out that reversing of the
judicial sentence was decided unanimously.

Muharrem Erbey, lawyer of the defendant, claimed that his objection
petition which he gave to the Supreme Court was misevaluated.

Erbey told A.A correspondent that his defendant was punished under Article
8/1 of Struggle Against Terrorism Law and that Supreme Court wanted this
judgement to take place in this respect.

The lawyer said, ''a file was suited against my client on charges of
discriminating people according to race and region and inciting people to
hatred and enmity under 312/2 Article of Turkish Penal Code. The penalty of
this crime varies one to 4,5 years. Later, the prosecutor changed the
article and my client was judged under article 8/1 of Struggle Against
Terrorism Law. The penalty of this varies between 1 and 3 years. In my
objection petition, I requested the annulment of the penalty as a whole.
Yet, Supreme Court wants my client, who was punished under Article 8/1 of
Struggle Against Terrorism Law, to be punished with the same Article again.
Moreover, if I had written my petition wrong, Supreme Court should not have
been mistaken.''

Giovanni, the Italian demonstrator, who was sentenced to one year
imprisonment terms by Diyarbakir DGM, was returned to his country when his
penalty was turned to fine and when the punishment was postponed for five
years.

[14] SCHWIMMER, COE MEMBER AND COEPA RAPPORTEUR: - ''PKK DOESN'T REPRESENT
KURDS'' - ''KURDS ARE NOT UNDER PRESSURE IN TURKEY''

VIENNA, April 7 (A.A) - Walter Scwimmer, Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly (COEPA) Rapporteur on Turkey said on Wednesday that the West
public opinion has wrong ideas about the terrorist organization PKK by
thinking wrongly that it represents ''Kurdish people.''

The Austrian politician, who is expected to participate in the case of
Abdullah Ocalan, the chief terrorist by the decision of COEPA, which will
be held on Imralı island, stressed that the terrorist PKK continuously
threatens the local people in Turkey.

''The international public opinion has started to perceive the PKK and
Kurdish people together; however, the big majority of the Kurdish people
are not supporters of the organization. PKK gets the support of the people
only by threatening them,'' he said.

Addressing a statement to Die Presse newspaper, a central rightist daily,
Schwimmer, a member of the Austrian Peoples' Party said that ''one who says
that Kurds are oppressed in Turkey doesn't say the truth. A Kurdish person
in Turkey can get higher positions like the former President Turgut Ozal.''

Stressing that very important progress is recorded in Turkey during the
recent years, Schwimmer pointed out that registering those taken into
custody by computers is an important step in preventing torture and
mistreatment during custody.

Schwimmer, who will be sent to the case of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief
terrorist that will be held at the end of this month, Schwimmer pointed out
that ''Turkey is right in not accepting observers.''

Describing the Turkish nation as very proud, the Austrian politican
recalled the words of Turkey which stressed that ''there is no need to
observe Ocalan's case because the trial of a terrorist in Germany or
Austria is not subject to international observation either.''

COE respects the principle of the Turkish legal system which does not
accept foreign observers to its trial processes, he added.

Schwimmer, who runs for candidacy to be the COE Secretary General, added
that the COE ''spectators'' who will witness that the trial process is
carried out fairly can be useful for Turkey.

ISTANBUL, April 7 (A.A) - The Ege Giyim Sanayi Corp. (EGS), a famous
Turkish ready-made clothes company, will make a cloth-aid for the Kosovar
refuguees who escaped from the Serbian massacres and came to Turkey; it is
reported on Wednesday.

The EGS statement said that the textile and ready-made cloth products which
are collected from the partners of EGS company will be send to the tent-
sites that are set up for the Kosovar refuguees in northwestern Kirklareli
province and that they will be given to the refuguees there.

An official from EGS recalled that the EGS company is a company which has
many partners including nearly 500 producers and exporters, and said that
their initiative will be one of the most comprehensive clothing aid
campaigns which have been realized in Turkey until today.

Emphasizing that nearly all of their partners will join the campaign, the
official said that to this end, they set up aid collection centres in Izmir
and Denizli provinces in the Aegean Region and that they will send these
clothes to Kirklareli by lorries.

Stating that the Kosovar refuguees are living in very severe conditions,
the official noted that Turkey sheltered these people and that their
company will do its best to make cloth-aid for these miserable people.

SKOPJE, April 7 (A.A) - Lupco Georgievski, the Macedonian Premier showed
Turkey as a model country due to her assistance to Kosovar refugees while
criticizing other countries.

Addressing a press briefing, Georgiveski critized CNN and BBS broadcast
institutions which said that Macedonia remained passive regarding refugees
and she behaved in an inhumane way towards refugees.

''No country helped the Kosovar refugees and Macedonia has economic
difficulties. Only Turkey fulfilled her promise of aid and she also
increases her aid to the refugees while rich countries of the World and
Europe pretended not to see what was going on. We once again thank Turkey,
which should be taken as a model country,'' he added.

KAYSERI, April 7 (A.A) - Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister said on Wednesday
that the cost of terrorism is too much, adding ''if we continue to limit
terrorism, we will save money and our growth rate will further increase.''

Foreign Minister Cem told reporters that Turkey has also been effected from
the economic crisis seen in the Far East and Russia.

Noting that Russia is important for Turkey, Cem said that ''we have a
shuttle trade worth of nearly 10 billion dollars annually with Russia. Our
constructers have a business volume of six billion dollars there in
addition to our commercial relations.''

''We have both material and spiritual loss due to terrorism. Our soldiers
die and it is not possible to bring them back. Turkey spends 4-5 billion
dollars for terrorism and Southeastern region annually. Terrorism costed us
more than 75 billion dollars in 15 years. In spite of the global economic
crisis, the growth rate of Turkey was 4 percent in 1998 and we guess it
will be 4-5 percent this year, this will further increase in 2000.''

ERZURUM, April 7 (A.A) - Cahit Bayar, Minister of Interior, said on
Wednesday that all the past elections took place in maturity and
tranquility following transition to democracy, and pointed out that ''we
are in an effort to provide the coming elections to take place that will
suit to the Turkish nation.''

Bayar who participated in the sixth Regional Governors Meeting Bayar spoke
to journalists and said the first item of the meeting was the elections.

Pointing out that this meeting was staged to hold the elections in
tranquility and security, Bayar said ''all the elections had taken place in
tranquility in the past. We are in an effort to hold coming elections in
maturity that will suit to Turkish nation and Turkish Republic.''

Noting that the elections will take place under the supervision of justice
organs, Bayar said, ''we are trying to ease their works. We have sent a
circular to the governorships to hold the elections in tranquility. The
governsorships prepared comprehensive plans and sent to us. Every kind of
requirements of the governorships will be met to hold the elections in
tranquility.''

Evaluating the bomb attack on Suleyman Kamci, Bingol governor, Bayar said
''the governors are the most authorized offices of the provinces. They take
every kind of measures on security issues. Several evil-minded people
realize such attacks from time to time and in the end gave their own
punishments. Also, our security forces capture the responsibles of the
attacks in the shortest time. Every kind of measures are taken to provide
the security of people.''

[19] ART INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE STRUCTURE OF CULTURE MINISTRY TO GRANT
THEIR REVENUES BETWEEN APRIL 11 AND 17 TO ''HAND IN HAND FOR KOSOVO''
CAMPAIGN

ANKARA, April 7 (A.A) - Art institutions which are under the structure of
the Culture Ministry will grant their revenues between April 11 and 17,
1999 to the ''Hand in Hand For Kosovo'' campaign, it is reported on
Wednesday.

A Culture Ministry statement said that the revenues of the activities in
the 29 scenes of the State Theatres; Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin and
Antalya units of the State Opera and Ballet; 18 groups and choruses and 5
sympony orchestras which will be performed between April 11 and 17 will be
donated to the campaign named ''Hand in Hand For Kosovo.''

In the statement, Istemihan Talay, the Culture Minister, evaluated their
support for the campaign as an initiative of the artists, and art
institutions by which they share the agony of the Kosovars.

Talay said, ''I sincerely believe that our people will be interested in our
activities and will give a hand to the Kosovars by buying a ticket.''

[20] WORLD BANK-TURKEY-MACEDONIA - INTERNATIONAL AIDS TO MACEDONIA TO BE BE
ORGANISED FROM TURKEY

ANKARA, April 7 (A.A) - The international aids to Macedonia will be
organised from Turkey as Ajay Chhibber, the World Bank's Director of Turkey
is also responsible from WB's relations with Macedonia, it is reported on
Wednesday.

Officials at World Bank's office in Ankara said that Chhibber met with
Boris Stojmenov, the Macedonian Minister of Finance in Istanbul on April 4
and took up issues like the effects of Kosovo crisis and measures aiming at
overcoming them.

Chhibber also discussed issues of structural reform in Macedonia and
directing trade to new markets in his meeting with Stojmenov.

World Bank has also requested Macedonia to hold a ''Extraordinary Donation
Campaign'' in the beginning of May concerning international aid for Kosovar
refugees.

Macedonia which realizes an important portion of her trade with Yugoslavia,
has also negatively been affected from the refugee crisis that erupted
after the NATO's air operation against Yugoslavia.

[21] AN AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN ISTANBUL AIRLINES AND TRNC STATE MINISTRY
AND VICE-PRIME MINISTRY - FLIGHTS FROM GERMANY TO TRNC TO BE HELD AT THE
PRICE OF GERMANY-ANTALYA FLIGHTS

LEFKOSA, April 7 (A.A) - An agreement was signed on Wednesday between the
State Ministry and Vice-Prime Ministry of the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus (TRNC) and Istanbul Airlines (IHY) which foresees having flights
from Germany to the TRNC at reasonable prices and speeding up the inflow of
tourists to the TRNC.

The agreement which foresees tourist transportation from Germany to the
TRNC at the price of Germany-Antalya flights will be valid between April 1
and December 31, 1999.

Mustafa Akinci, the TRNC State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, said in
a statement that their efforts to decrease the costs of transportation to
decrease the transportation problems had positive results.

Stating that they expect a 50 percent increase in the number of tourists
coming from Germany to the TRNC when compared with the figures of 1998,
Akinci noted that this discount is not only limited with Germany and covers
the tourists coming from Austria and Belgium.

[22] EU COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS TO HOLD A COORDINATION MEETING WITH
FOREIGN MINISTERS OF NEIGHBOURING STATES INCLUDING TURKEY

BRUSSELS, April 7 (A.A) - After the European Union (EU) Council of
Ministers meeting which will discuss the issue of aid to Kosovo in
Luxembourg on Thursday, another ''coordination meeting'' will be held with
foreign ministries of neighbouring countries to the NATO operation
including Turkey, it is reported on Wednesday.

EU sources said that the EU Council of Ministers will convene at the level
of ministers of interior today to ''search for a principle'' regarding aid
to Kosovo and this ''search'' will be completed by the meeting that will be
held among foreign ministers tomorrow.

EU Council of Ministers will determine the amount of money that will be
given to Kosovar refugees and approve it.

Foreign Ministers of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Croatia, and
Turkey, which is described as one of the important countries regarding
assistance to refugees, will come together with EU Council tomorrow.

Foreign Ministers will exchange views about material needs and
coordination.

Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister is planned to come to Luxembourg on
Thursday afternoon and return to Ankara the same night.

[23] LUFTHANSA, GERMAN AIRLINE COMPANY, INCREASES ITS NUMBER OF FLIGHTS FOR
SUMMER - KISCH, REPRESENTATIVE OF LUFTHANSA IN TURKEY: - ''I AM LIVING IN
ISTANBUL AND I FEEL MYSELF SECURE. OUR COMPANY SEES TURKEY AS A SECURE
COUNTRY''

ISTANBUL, April 7 (A.A) - Lufthansa, the German airline company, increases
its number of flights for the summer, it is reported on Wednesday.

Ofer Kisch, the Representative of Luftansa in Turkey, gave information
about their ''Summer Schedule'' which started on March 28, 1999 in a
meeting held in Istanbul.

Stating that they put flights to new places and they increased the number
of their connected flights, Kisch said that the reservations of flights to
Turkey for the summer are very much.

Kisch noted that there was a decrease in the number of tourists coming from
the European countries and the U.S. to Turkey since autumn.

Kisch also stressed that he is living in Istanbul and he feels himself
secure, adding that their company sees Turkey as a secure country.

[24] TURKEY-NATO OPERATION - PRESIDENT DEMIREL SENDS ACET AS THE SPECIAL
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE REGION AHEAD OF HIS VISIT TO ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA
THAT WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY

ANKARA, April 7 (A.A) - Turkey continues to launch efforts to send aid to
Kosovon refugees and on the other hand speeds up diplomatic contacts with
NATO and regional countries. President Suleyman Demirel is scheduled to go
to Albania and Macedonia and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will come together
with the Foreign Ministers of European Union (EU) and regional countries.

Sermet Atacanli, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, addressing a weekly
news conference, responded to questions of reporters regarding the issue
and briefed about Turkey's support and diplomatic initiatives to Kosovon
refugees.

Atacanli said President Suleyman Demirel will go to Albania and Macedonia
on Sunday on a one-day visit, adding that Ahmet Acet, Turkey's Ambassador
to Belgrade, was appointed by President Suleyman Demirel as special
representative and that will go to the region on Wednesday with his new
title.

Noting that Acet will take private messages to the Presidents of Albania
and Macedonia and will prepare a report regarding the recent developments.
In the message, Demirel conveyed Turkey's views and concerns regarding the
issue, and initiatives to send aid to Kosovon refugees.

Noting that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will leave for Luxembourg on
Thursday to participate in a meeting which the EU countries will hold in
foreign ministers level and with regional countries and international aid
institutions, Atacanli said Cem's participation to NATO Council Foreign
Ministers meeting, that will take place on April 12, 1999, was also in
question.

Pointing out that Turkey sent a representative to a meeting which
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) will hold in Geneva on Wednesday,
Atacanli said ''Turkey is an active member of OIC. Turkey, within this
framework, carries out efforts to issue a decision from the meeting in the
direction of its theses.

Responding to a question, Atacanli said Turkish planes continued its
flights envisaged within the context of aid to Kosovon refugees, adding
that the planes used the air spaces of both Bulgaria and Greece to this
end.

Atacanli said that Turkey has sent 5 planes full of aid supplies to Albania
and 4 planes to Macedonia for the tent cities planned to be settled for the
Kosovon refugees and noted that ''it can not be said that international
community brought a satisfactory solution on the issue.''

When recalled that NATO Council decided to sent special units to Albania,
Atacanli said there was no official call made to Turkey in the direction of
this decision.

Atacanli said the force in question will be responsible for the
coordination of aid that will be expended to refugees who were forced to
leave Kosovo, adding that it will be deployed on the territories of
Albania. Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman also said this force was sent to
the region in order to determine the human tragedy there in cooperation
with Albania and the officials of the U.N. High Commissioner For Refugees.

Pointing out that required steps will be taken following the decision
issued by NATO Council, Atacanli noted that following an evaluation of
essential character of the unit, a call for concerned countries can be in
question.

Responding to another question, Atacanli stressed that the composition and
target of the unit was not in the quality of ''combatant'', adding that
''yet, self-defense is a concept which has place in international law. If
there will be such an attack, we should suppose that it will be equipped to
be able to defend itself.''

Atacanli said NATO Council, the day before, authorized Javier Solana, NATO
Secretary General, to give green light to deploy Apache helicopters in
Albania. The U.S. announced that it wanted to send 24 Apache helicopters.
NATO Council's confirmation was required to deploy Apache helicopters in
Albania.

Responding to the questions, Atacanli briefed about the Russian ships that
will pass from the Straits and noted that according to the latest
announcement made from Russia to Turkey it was said that six ships were
foreseen to pass from the Straits in two groups on April 12 and 13.

Atacanli said the announcements regarding the passage of Russian ships were
made according to rules and regulations by Russian side.

ANKARA, April 7 (A.A) - Premier Bulent Ecevit said on Wednesday that the
government will continue to attribute importance to fair distribution of
health services in the country, to increase their productivity, and make
poor citizens benefit from these services fairly.

Issuing a message published due to World Health Day and Health Week in
Turkey, Premier Ecevit said that living a healthy life is one of the basic
rights of human beings.

''On the threshold of the 21st century, many people struggle to live and
they can't benefit from basic health services at the sufficient level due
to injustices in the distribution of income, economic difficulties, fights,
and clashes in the world. On the other hand, new discoveries are used to
protect and improve human health due to the reflections of the developing
technology on medicine,'' Premier Ecevit added.

ANKARA, April 7 (A.A) - The third of European-Mediterranean Partnership
Foreign Ministers Conference will take place in Stuttgart between April 15
and 16, it was reported on Wednesday. Turkey's MEDA program will also be
discussed during the conference and Turkey's share in the funds will be
asked to be increased.

A statement of European Commision's Turkey Representation said
representatives of 27 countries will discuss how a momentum could be added
to the partnership in the direction of Barcelona statement while entering
to third millenium.

It was reported that during the meeting in Stuttgart, developments recorded
following the previous conferences held in Barcelona and Malta will be
evaluated and the Middle East Peace Process will be taken up as the main
issue.

A delegation headed by Uluc Ozulker, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary,
will represent Turkey during the conference. Nezihi Ozkaya, European Union
(EU) Department Deputy General Director and Ihsan Sakarya, International
Security Affairs Department Chairman will also participate in the meeting.

European Commission statement said the conference is Stuttgart has another
importance as it takes place at a period when MEDA-1 program funds, which
form financial flant of European-Mediterranean partnership, ends.

EU, since 1995, provides financial aid to the Mediterranean countries
within the context of European-Mediterranean Parnership and within the
framework of MEDA-1 program. The program from which Turkey has taken 235
million Euro project support undertakings so far, will end by the end of
December 1999. To this end, the attentions are forwarded to the MEDA-2
program which will be put instead of MEDA-1. MEDA-2 is envisaged to cover a
seven-year period (2000-2006). This will be the difference of MEDA 2 from
MEDA 1.
Diplomatic sources told A.A correspondent that Turkey, which did not have
great expectations from the conference, wanted share of MEDA-2 funds in
general budget to be increased and the fund allocated to Turkey to be
increased. The same sources recalled that Turkey had several difficulties
regarding MEDA-1 funds, adding that the aid which was committed could not
be implemented due to political and technical deficiencies.

European Parliament claimed several pre-conditions, such as human rights
and democracy, to release the aid committed to Turkey. Signature of
framework agreement, regarding the funds, took a long time due to technical
reasons, and the aid in question was not given to Turkey although it has
been committed. Greece has put a veto to the MEDA fund but had to withdraw
it as a result of the pressure put by other Mediterranean countries. Greece
still has a veto on aid promised to Turkey within the framework of Customs
Union.